Corruption at DOTC

No less than the Czech Ambassador to the Philippines, Joseph Rychtar, has written to President Aquino of a demand by DOTC officials for $30 million for an award of 48 MRT coaches.

The Czech Ambassador wrote President Aquino that the demand for the $30 million was made by DOTC officials appointed by then DOTC Sec. Mar Roxas but retained by Sec. Joseph Emilio Abaya.

Ambassador Rychtar said he is “so mad” that no investigation has been made by the President or by Secretary Abaya on his complaint.

He had written the President dated June 29, that “the Czech Government proposed for the MRT-3 capacity expansion and modernization is a government-to-government deal which cannot contain any provision for commissions.”

The Czech Ambassador also complained that over the past 3 years and over 10 letters to the DOTC, no response has been made by the Philippine government.

Ambassador Rychtar cleared presidential sister Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and her husband, Eldon Cruz of any involvement in the negotiations.

DOTC officials recruited by then Sec. Mar Roxas who are still with the department are Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, Rene Limcaoco, Catherine Gonzales, and Jaime Feliciano Gonzales.

With the Ambassador’s complaint headlined by the Philippine STAR, it is incumbent for President Aquino to order DOJ Secretary De Lima to investigate the matter. It is also expected that the Ombudsman will start an investigation.

It has been noted that the pending contracts in the DOTC for car plates, licenses, LRT-1 and LRT-2 extensions have also been delayed for 3 years.

The 4 Roxas appointees implicated by Ambassador Rychtar should go on leave.

The President should also order an investigation of all delayed DOTC contracts.

There are also complaints of corruption at LTFRB and LTO.

Payoff to Cavite police

Rosalinda Cadavero, sister of slain Ozamiz gang leader Ricky Cadavero, said that her brother told her he was able to walk free because he had paid Cavite police and Bureau of Corrections officials.

This is another sorry example of continuing corruption under the Aquino administration. DILG Sec. Mar. Roxas and DOJ Sec. Leila De Lima should investigate the matter.

SONA notes

On Monday, President Benigno S. Aquino III will deliver his fourth State of the Nation Address (SONA).

His long-awaited economic reforms and his proposals for inclusive growth are expected.

What is quite clear at this point in time is the Philippines’ high 7.5% unemployment rate, with an estimated 11.1 million unemployed and underemployed.

We expect the President to present in detail his master plan for job creation including the specifics of his P400 billion budget for infrastructure program announced by DBM Sec. Florencio Abad.

We would like to know how the Administration will create at least 2 to 3 million jobs in 2014. How much has been allocated for labor-intensive farm-to-market roads, appointments of teachers and nurses, and other needed government jobs?

Drilon assured NP support

Sen. Franklin Drilon will get 18 votes for Senate President according to NP Sen. Cynthia Villar, as the 5 NP Senators have decided to cast their votes for him.

Sec. Juan Ponce Enrile will lead the minority bloc of at least 6 Senators. NP Sen. Alan Peter Cayetano is the new Majority Leader. Senator Villar gets the Committee on Agriculture.

Let us hope the new Senate will cut down its excessive allowances led by the Senate President with over a hundred million. Senators average P50 million in allowances each.

File the charges

Calabarzon Regional Police Director Benito Estipona, Supt. Danilo Mendoza, RSOG chief, and 13 others were relieved following the death of 2 Ozamiz robbery gang leaders in their custody.

Their relief was announced by DILG Sec. Mar Roxas. This is a correct move, but charges should be filed against the 15 officers. In the past, officers relieved of their positions were given other assignments and even promoted.

Officers involved in such murder of suspects in custody must be floated and downgraded in the promotions list.

President Aquino disobeyed

The Commission on Audit (COA) has found that MWSS has hired 42 illegal consultants continuing the practice which started in 2011.

Consultants are all over the place including DOTC, DPWH, and Department of Agriculture. Consultants are also hired by Senate and House oversight committees with salaries as high as P50,000 a month.

The COA findings show that GOCCs and GFI have disregarded President Aquino’s directive against the hiring of consultants and paying excessive allowances.

Backlogs in education

As President Aquino delivers his 4th SONA, backlogs in education remain: 61,510 teachers are still needed, 23,376 classrooms are lacking, and there have been very few toilets constructed.

There is no improvement in our school feeding program. In India they feed 120 million children a day.

The new books for the K to 12 program are not ready. But on the whole, the K to 12 program is running smoothly with the Kindergarten and Grade 7 classes being implemented.

Under Secretary Armin Luistrio, corruption in the procurement of books and chairs have been minimized.

Distribution starts

The distribution of lands to qualified beneficiaries of Hacienda Luisita has started Thursday. 300 out of 6,212 beneficiaries received their lot certificates by raffle. Each beneficiary received about 6,000 square meters.

DAR Sec. Virgilo De Los Reyes presided over the distribution which is expected to continue daily until Aug. 21, 2013.

The lots are located in Tarlac City, Concepcion and La Paz towns.

TIDBITS: Jackson Dy and Ana Wong Dy were arrested in their house in San Juan. An eyewitness now testifies that 80 kilos of shabu and P15 million in cash were taken by the police officers but were not reported at the press conference.

Local recruiters say at least 10,000 workers have been laid off in Taiwan.

Thirty-one Party-list representatives have formed a bloc and elected Rep. Nikki Briones as president.

Resorts World and Solaire Casinos are both drawing huge crowds.

Solaire is more generous in giving free drinks and sandwiches. Both are expanding their facilities.

The Ombudsman has filed graft charges against former Agriculture Secretary Luis “Cito’ Lorenzo and Quedancor officials over an anomalous swine procurement program in 2004.

Jose Adorable Mas, 48, a guidance counselor of the Pamantasan ng Montalban, Rizal was shot dead in his office by a former student of the school.